With scholarships available, urban business effort grows Kansas City
December 7, 2016 | Meghan LeVota
An effort to increase entrepreneurship in the urban core of Kansas City is increasing its area economic impact as well as its scholarship opportunities.
Launched in 2013, the Urban Business Growth Initiative offers a variety of programs that help applicants access resources, classes and counseling to create jobs and support urban business growth.
The UBGI helped its 92 scholarship award-winners generate $29.5 million in sales and $4.3 million in investment capital in 2016, according to a report from the UMKC Innovation Center. The report also found that the program helped retain about 130 jobs and create 83 new positions.
The UBGI is funded by the City of Kansas City, Mo. and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The initiative is a collaboration of KC BizCare, KCSourcelink, UMKC Small Business and Technology Development Center, the Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Justine PETERSEN and the Women’s Business Center. The initiative pushes its services to low- and moderate-income individuals in the urban core who wish to start or grow businesses.
“The UBGI is defining the path to economic mobility for Kansas City entrepreneurs,” assistant city manager Rick Usher said in a release.
Below is more information on upcoming winter scholarship opportunities. Eligible applicants must live or own a business in Kansas City. Accepted participants may select one free class and one $75 class. To apply, click here.
Winning Government Contracts:The First Steps
When: Jan. 5, Feb 2. Mar 2. Apr 6 and May 4
Cost: no cost with scholarship
Explains how to get started in government contracting including federal, state and local government registration and certification.
Construction Business Management
When: Jan. 17 – March 7
Cost: $645, $75 with scholarship
Assists construction business owners with issues of growth.
FastTrac® NewVenture™
When: Jan. 17 – Feb. 14
Cost: $649, $75 with scholarship
Explores the feasibility of a business concept and teaches participants how to develop a viable business plan.
FastTrac® TechVenture™
When: Feb. 8 – April 12
Cost: $795, $75 with scholarship
Provides technology and science-based entrepreneurs with a proven framework and network of connections to help grow a great idea into the next viable innovation.
Featured Business
2016 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Goodwill merger pushes expansion plans, KC’s new adult high school to the front of the store, leader says
Consolidating operations between offices in Kansas City in St. Louis not only will produce one of the largest Goodwill footprints in the nation, said Mike Sinnett; the move is expected to bolster efforts to add more retail stores and deepen initiatives like the soon-to-open Excel Center at Bannister Road. Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern…
LISTEN: Biotech founder breaks down how she turns microorganisms into high-quality protein in just 24 hours
On this episode of Startland News’ Plug and Play Topeka founder podcast series, we explore a ground-breaking food innovation with Katelijne “Kate” Bekers, co-founder and CEO of MicroHarvest. This biotech startup is pioneering the world’s fastest protein production — turning microorganisms into high-quality protein in just 24 hours, using sustainable fermentation and agricultural side-streams, while…
From ravioli to revenue: How Pasta La Fata became a fresh pasta powerhouse in mid-Missouri
Editor’s note: The following story was produced through a paid partnership with MOSourceLink, which boasts a mission to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri grow and succeed by providing free, easy access to the help they need — when they need it. COLUMBIA, Mo. — Michelle “Shelly” La Fata built Pasta La Fata with…
KC startups graduate K-State accelerator, earning equity-free cash, greater conviction
A trio of Kansas City-built ventures — from sports apparel and mental health solutions for young athletes to tech that uses autonomous drones and 3D vision AI — were among the Kansas businesses earning funding through an eight-week accelerator at Kansas State University. The Center for Entrepreneurship Accelerator program at K-State — which provides participants…